São João da Pesqueira

São João da Pesqueira (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐ̃w ʒuˈɐ̃w dɐ pɨʃˈkɐjɾɐ] (listen)) is a municipality and municipal seat in the Portuguese district of Viseu. The population of the municipality in 2011 was approximately 7,874 inhabitants,[1] in an area that extends 266.11 square kilometres (102.75 sq mi).[2] The present mayor is Manuel Cordeiro, elected by a citizens' movement. The municipal holiday is June 24.

São João da Pesqueira
Municipality
Flag
Coat of arms
Coordinates: 41°08′N 7°24′W
Country Portugal
RegionNorte
Intermunic. comm.Douro
DistrictViseu
Parishes11
Government
 • PresidentManuel Cordeiro (Ind.)
Area
 • Total266.11 km2 (102.75 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total7,874
 • Density30/km2 (77/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC±00:00 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+01:00 (WEST)
Websitehttps://www.sjpesqueira.pt/

History

São João da Pesqueira is the oldest recognized municipality in the country, created in 1055, thus taking precedence over such major cities as Coimbra, Guimarães or Lamego.

Geography
Population of
São João da Pesqueira
(1801 - 2011)
YearPop.±%
1801 3,203—    
1849 5,734+79.0%
1900 12,505+118.1%
1930 12,764+2.1%
1960 15,124+18.5%
1981 10,219−32.4%
1991 9,581−6.2%
2001 8,653−9.7%
2011 7,874−9.0%

The municipality is situated at 850 metres (2,790 ft) above sea level and is bordered on the north by the River Douro and the municipality of Alijó, on the northeast by Carrazeda de Ansiães, on the east by Vila Nova de Foz Côa (district of Guarda), on the south-east by Penedono, on the south by Sernancelhe, on the west by Tabuaço and on the north-west by Sabrosa. The municipality includes an attractive countryside with viewpoints over the Douro valley and the Valeira dam from the chapel of São Salvador do Mundo (Ermo).

Administratively, the municipality is divided into 11 civil parishes:[3]

  • Castanheiro do Sul
  • Ervedosa do Douro
  • Nagoselo do Douro
  • Paredes da Beira
  • Riodades
  • São João da Pesqueira e Várzea de Trevões
  • Soutelo do Douro
  • Trevões e Espinhosa
  • Vale de Figueira
  • Valongo dos Azeites
  • Vilarouco e Pereiros

Economy

Situated in the heart of the Douro wine region, São João da Pesqueira is well endowed with vineyards that support the production of vintage and port wines.

Tourist attractions include a wine museum in Pesqueira and a network of waymarked hiking trails, including a section of the GR 14 Porto to Strasbourg Rota dos Vinhos da Europa (European Wine Route trail).

References
  1. Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  2. Áreas das freguesias, concelhos, distritos e país
  3. Diário da República. "Law nr. 11-A/2013, page 552 110" (pdf) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 30 July 2014.

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